Backstage…
Claire James was trying to interview SCCW's resident fitness instructor Blake Belladonna, but Blake was in the middle of a pre-match crossfit session. Blake took a short break to comment that Clare should start a fitness regiment under herself before saying that she was going to show Betty Black that she is up against the fittest person in all of SCCW
Sloppy Joe Memorial Tournament Qualifier Match
Betty Black vs. Blake Belladonna
The crossfit seems to help Blake Belladonna as she overpowered Betty in the early going. She backed Black into the corner for some knife edge chops, before going through the basics. A hiptoss or two, and some arm drags before Blake taunted her opponent with her superior physique.
Betty seemed annoyed by this, and fought back with her speed; a dropkick connected in the third that knocked Blake out through the ropes onto the apron, where Betty followed up with a triangle knee strike. But Belladonna powered out of the pin attempts and got back into the match after blocking a suplex attempt. She countered with a stalling vertical suplex to show off her strength. A belly to belly backbreaker followed, and Belladonna had her opponent primed for the finish. She managed to hit a pop-up Gory Bomb off an Irish whip, driving Betty Black face first into the mat, and Belladonna picked up the three count.
Winner: Blake Belladonna (5:49)
After the match, Cordozar Parrish made his way to ringside where he grabbed a microphone. He called out Blake Belladonna and Ash Fi, telling them that their qualifying matches were meaningless. They can’t compare to an athlete of his pedigree, a wrestler of his quality … or even any man. But in four weeks time, Cordozar will show them what a proper wrestler can do inside that ring – and no amount of crossfit training can prepare Blake for that.
Backstage…
We cut to the backstage area where we see Adam Dragomirov walking through the corridor, shouting for his tag team partner. Adam is dressed to wrestle, but after a few moments it appears that he’s alone. He groans, sinking to a seat on an equipment crate, rubbing his hands over his face and through his hair.
A sigh comes from somewhere else off-camera and slowly, Adam looks upright where finally, his tag team partner approaches him, although wearing a solid white mask that looks eerily similar to the Batman mask. Adam groans again before rising to his feet, asking “what’s with the costume? Are we serious?”
Chino explains that his face was kicked so hard by Lowri Moss during the Rookie X Cup that he could “feel the imperfections working their way down!” Chino continues, telling Adam that he needs to contain the damage before “total disaster.” For a few moments, Adam just stares at him wide-eyed before shaking his head and gesturing toward the corridors leading to gorilla, stating that the two of them need to be better than Dickie and Sammie-- and better than every talent they came up against-- because sooner or later, the Hudson Cup would depend on it, regardless of how Chino
looked. Adam sighs, adding that he thought Chino did fine in the RXC and that they’ve done “alright” in SCCW but that he expected more based on everything his family and SCCW taught them. His tone draws a small moan of disapproval from the audience.
Chino finally removes the white Batman mask but looks up at Adam and gently says “well then… sorry for disappointing you.” He starts to turn, but Adam places a hand on his shoulder and apologizes, saying he was just hoping for a bit of momentum after being humiliated and “getting our asses kicked” by the Cistern. He adds that he shouldn’t have put the pressure on Chino and again, awkwardly apologizes, removing his hand as Chino’s eyes drift toward it… but his partner laughs lightly, giving Adam a reassuring nod.
“Ah. It’s going to be fine. We’ve got big things on the horizon, love.” Chino looks down at the mask again before tossing it aside, adding that he’s checked in and he’s got his head together, but casually asks if Adam can say the same. Adam quickly defends himself, but Chino doesn’t allow room for an argument. He gives his friend a broad smile and a wink and leads the way down the hall. Adam looks down with a bit of guilt before slapping his own face a bit, hyping himself up, and following behind Chino.
Tag Team Match
Adam & Chino vs. Dickie Harter & Sammie Rósza
A fast paced match from start to finish. Harter & Rósza looked to try and put their problems behind them as they worked together to target Chino Hills. Harter hit a headscissors takedown that set Chino up for a rope leaned basement lariat from Sammie. Harter even got a two count after a handspring moonsault over the top rope, but their teamwork could only get them so far.
The more experience Adam & Chino fought back, with Dragomirov targeting Rósza in the third minute. A spinebuster off an Irish whip got things moving, before Adam picked up a couple of nearfalls off a mafia kick a vertical suplex respectively. Chino had a moment to shine soon after, as he hit Sammie with a standing double foot stomp. But Rósza rallied back. She ducked under a clothesline attempt and countered with a rolling elbow, before making the hot tag out to Dickie!
Harter opted for the high flying approach as he hit Chino with a springboard tornado DDT and a meteora in quick succession, but his dancing and dabbing on Chino seemed to raise the ire of his opponent somewhat. In the seventh minute, Harter missed a running double knee lift to his corner opponent, and Chino was able to get back into the match with a handspring back elbow.
From there Adam & Chino worked over the Rising Star champion, utilizing quick tags and double team moves; a double hiptoss, double suplex, inverted atomic drop/leg lariat combo all connected. But they couldn’t get a three count. Harter desperately needed the tag, but tragedy struck in the ninth minute when Sammie Rósza took a tumble off the apron after apparently taking an errant elbow as Dickie was whipped into the corner. He looked out to see how she was, but Adam Dragomirov caught him from behind; Dickie got lifted up onto his opponent’s shoulders for the Halo bomb, and the three count.
Winners: Adam & Chino (8:39)
After the match, Dickie exited the ring to check on Sammie, who seemingly pushed him away as she clutched her face. Harter chased after her to apologize, leaving Adam & Chino to celebrate their victory in the ring.
Earlier Tonight…
A pre-recorded video begins to play, and we find Iwan Christ in the SCCW training facility, appearing as though he has just finished an intense workout. Though through all the sweat and laboured breathing, he keeps his winning smile upon his face for all to see.
Iwan expresses how much of an honour it is to be considered for the Sloppy Joe Memorial Tournament qualifiers, and states that as a newcomer to SCCW and the US wrestling scene, he knows he has a lot to prove. Regardless of this, he says it how it is: he is going to pull out all the stops to qualify for the tournament, because he knows he needs to be in it. Whilst he respects his opponent Zoe Dupont, as well as the other potential competitors who may qualify, he didn't travel across the world to let his dreams be mere hopes.
The Sloppy Joe Memorial Tournament is the first step to reaching his high ambitions, and Iwan knows he has the skill to achieve them – he just needs to put it all into practice. “SCCW has been good to me so far,” he says. “Great fans, a debut victory, and being considered for this tournament despite only just arriving? I couldn't ask for more right now. I can tell there's high hopes for me – and I'm not about to let anyone down.”
With that, the video fades to black, and we continue with the show.
Sloppy Joe Memorial Tournament Qualifier Match
Iwan Christ vs. Zoe Dupont
Dupont did what she could to get in her opponent’s head. From the get-go she refused the handshake, and instead slapped Christ. But that only seemed to encourage Iwan; he fired off some forearm shots and knife edge chops, before following up with a leg lariat … but Dupont just rolled out of the ring to put some distance between them.
Iwan continued trying to pick up momentum, though. The third minute saw him hit a bulldog for a two count, before he whipped Dupont into the corner. The crowd cheered as Iwan taunted Zoe, before charging in – to find nobody home! Dupont capitalized, hitting a snap DDT that drove Iwan Christ head first into the mat as she took her turn to taunt him. On commentary, Ryan Savage noted the particular lack of respect that Zoe was showing her opponent as she pretended to kick dirt in his face.
Dupont continued for a couple of minutes, using some chinlocks and headlocks to try and wear Iwan down. And it was working until he countered with a back suplex. Both competitors scrambled back to their feet as Christ leapt up for an enziguiri, which knocked Zoe down to one knee. From there Iwan was able to hit a shining wizard, and he picked up a three count.
Winner: Iwan Christ (6:02)
After the match, Iwan celebrated at ringside, slapping hands with the cheering fans before he headed backstage.
Backstage…
In the office of Ben Hanson, the owner of SCCW wanted to share his thoughts on the issue with the Rising Star Championship. He’s disappointed that Murph B interfered with the ending of the battle royal back at High Voltage, and that she cost Madison Bennett her shot on the last show, but even more so that she’s also stolen the title belt.
But Ben knows a time-tested method for sorting these issues out.
At Learning to Fly next month, Murph B will have her to chance to become the rightful holder of that title. But not without beating Dickie and Harter and Madison Bennett … in a ladder match! That’s right! At Learning to Fly we’ll see:
SCCW RISING STAR CHAMPIONSHIP
LADDER MATCH
Dickie Harter © vs. Madison Bennett vs. Murph B
Hanson says he hopes the fans enjoy that match, and the rest of tonight’s show as the show cuts back to ringside.
Ringside…
Before the match starts, the debuting Romello Tyrell Judge makes his way to the ring with a microphone in hand. He asks the crowd to forgive him if they’ve heard what he’s about to say from other wrestlers before. RTJ excitedly points out to the crowd that they are about to witness history. It will be the first time he steps into a ring in a match that matters. He asks them if they realize how dope that is before telling them that he doesn’t think they know how dope it is. Realizing that he’s new to the SCCW audience and that his presence wasn’t announced, he formally introduces himself to them. He is RTJ. He knows that he has a lot to prove before he can officially claim the moniker of “The Next Big Thing”, and that it won’t be easy, but it’s title he wants to earn. All he needs are opportunities, and his qualifying match for the Sloppy Joe Memorial Tournament is just what he needs. He tells the crowd to get out their phones and hit record because they’ll very soon want proof that they’ve been down with RTJ since day one.
Sloppy Joe Memorial Tournament Qualifier Match
Z vs. Romeo Tyrell Judge
RTJ started off bright as he used his size advantage to his benefit. The shoulderblock off an Irish whip, the back body drop, the belly to belly suplex, all doing some damage to Z as the crowd started to get behind the newcomer.
Unfortunately for Romeo, he’s not yet versed in heelshit. Z raked the eyes to escape a fireman’s carry before running against the ropes. He dodged a clothesline attempt to take RTJ down with a springboard stunner, before knocking him out of the ring with a running dropkick. Z seemed to be gearing up for a high risk move, but instead rolled into a tranquilo position to taunt the fans.
He did manage to score some nearfalls in the fourth and fifth minutes; a tornado small package got Z a two count, before he followed up with some chops, an enziguiri, and finally a penalty kick that earned him another two count. But RTJ got back into the match after dodging a clothesline. He countered with a flying shouldertackle, and followed up with a spinebuster and a powerslam. Neither were particularly well executed, but they seemed to do the job as Z was reeling. RTJ lifted his opponent onto his shoulder again, and again Z escaped after raking the eyes. He spun RTJ around and promptly hit The Brute (STO) and, with a handful of tights, managed to get the three count to get the final place in the Sloppy Joe Memorial Tournament.
Winner: Z (6:30)
After the match, Z escaped to ringside to taunt RTJ about missing out on the tournament as the crowd continued to boo him. They gave RTJ a round of applause for his effort, and he saluted them for doing so.
Pre-Recorded…
The tag team of GBH appears on screen, seemingly backstage at the recent FGA Flashpoint show. Miss Fortune speaks first, still angry after her defeat against James Edwards; she talks about how GBH are making waves all over the world, which is why they can’t make it to SCCW tonight. But they’ll be back on the next show so the fans can wait a little while longer to witness their excellence.
Harper continues by adding that in four weeks the fans can watch as GBH become the new SCCW Tag Team Champions. Because it’s time that The Caffiends realized they’re not championship material. They’re not worthy of repping SCCW, not like GBH has been doing – ignoring the first round exits in the RXC and DDT3 recently! But once they’re decked out in gold, then maybe these fans will realize who are truly the best tag team in Sussex County. Both women blow a kiss to the camera before the segment ends, and the show cuts back to ringside.
MAIN EVENT
Six Man Tag Team Match
Brutus, Thunderbelly & DJ Ronie vs. Malika, Jasmine & Caintigern
The match started with an all out brawl as Malika and Jasmine tried to get the jump on their opponents. They went after Ronie and Thunderbelly, and Caintigern seemed to let them as she watched Brutus looming behind her partners. The SCCW Champion, still angry about recent attacks, took Jasmine down with a German suplex before turning to Malika. She tried to back away, but Brutus grabbed her by the throat – just before Caintigern hit him with a Brass Magnum (Superman Punch) from behind!
The champion staggered forward and fell out through the middle rope, leaving the Irishwoman to deal with Thunderbelly. Unfortunately for her, the Storm Bearer was ready to fight tonight! Thunderbelly ducked a short arm lariat and countered with a release German suplex to gain the upper hand. The crowd cheered him on as Thunderbelly used his strikes to wear Cait down, before tagging out to Ronie.
By the fourth minute, however, the Irishwoman countered an Irish whip into a Silver Spear and Tonic (Rolling Spear) to get the better of Ronie. That got her a two count, but she had to tag out to Jasmine before she took any more unnecessary punishment. Things went awry for Jasmine as she went against the ropes, only to get caught by Brutus’s meaty hand. He grabbed her by the ponytail before being able to grab her by the throat and throw her into the turnbuckle, and deliver a lariat whilst she was there.
The match continued in this state of disarray for a few more minutes as neither team was able to work together; by the seventh minute Malika was still refusing to get tagged in, which resulted in Cait tossing her partner into the ring, where Thunderbelly hit her with an airplane spin. But Jasmine saved her boss from the three count, before Brutus chased her out of the ring and all the way up the aisle.
That left the match effectively as a tag match. Cait did most of the fighting for her team as she took Ronie down with a cornered running double knee strike, before scoring a nearfall off a tornado small package. But Thunderbelly helped his partner out – unlike Malika! He made Cait Ride the Lightning (Running Turnbuckle Powerbomb, followed with a European Uppercut) before hitting the Green Power Thunderbomb (Blue Thunderpowerbomb). But even that only got him a two count.
Caintigern did get back into the match as she dodged the Thunderclap (Running Palm Strike), and hit the Storm Bearer with Silver Spear and Tonic (Rolling Spear) for the two count. She followed that up soon after with the Blackwater No. 5 (Tiger Feint Kick), at which point Malika tagged herself in…which, after a brief argument, resulting in Cait laying Malika out with the Brass Magnum (Superman Punch). The Irishwoman left her partner to it, but not before cussing her out.
Thunderbelly recovered to see Malika just getting back up, and he hit the Forseti's Axe (Axe Guillotine Driver) for the three count.
Winners: Brutus, Thunderbelly and D.J. Ronie (10:25)